Device capable of working in all directions and converting irregular vibration into directional rotation and power generation device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of mechanical energy conversion and collection, and aims to solve the problems of large energy loss, low efficiency and poor omnidirectional vibration adaptability caused by dependence on a complex transmission mechanism in the conventional vibration energy conversion and collection technology. The device comprises a base, a rotor and a stator, the stator is fixed to the base, and the rotor is rotatably connected between the base and the stator; a working gap is formed between the stator and the rotor, a bristle array for absorbing vibration energy and driving the rotor to rotate is arranged in the working gap, and the arrangement method of the bristle array is as follows: the bristle array comprises a radial elastic bristle array fixed on the outer surface of the cylinder wall of the rotor in a brush shape and an axial elastic bristle array fixed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the rotor; or the radial elastic bristle array is fixed on the inner surface of the cylinder wall of the stator in a brush shape, and the axial elastic bristle array is fixed on the inner top surface of the stator and the upper surface of the base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of mechanical energy conversion and harvesting, specifically relating to a device and a power generation device that can work in all directions to convert irregular vibrations into directional rotation. Background Technology

[0002] Vibrations are ubiquitous in natural and industrial environments, such as those caused by vehicle engine operation, suspension system shocks from uneven roads, and mechanical vibrations generated by the continuous operation of large compressors, pumps, and fans in factories. These vibrations are often considered environmental noise or harmful factors that cause equipment fatigue; however, through appropriate conversion mechanisms, they can be transformed into other usable forms of motion, and they themselves contain energy that can be effectively utilized.

[0003] With the development of micro-energy technology and the Internet of Things, harvesting vibrational energy from the environment to power low-power electronic devices such as wireless sensors, wearable devices, and microrobots has gradually become a research direction of significant value. However, vibrational energy in the environment generally exhibits irregular characteristics, mainly manifested in random direction and wide frequency range. This leads to the challenge of low energy capture efficiency in traditional vibrational energy harvesting devices.

[0004] Firstly, at the structural level, existing devices often rely on complex transmission mechanisms. Many traditional electromagnetic or triboelectric energy harvesting devices require transmission mechanisms such as gears, belts, or spring systems to convert linear vibration into rotation or achieve frequency matching. These mechanisms not only increase system size and manufacturing costs but also cause significant energy losses during operation due to friction, inertia, and elastic deformation, reducing energy conversion efficiency. For example, the "Vibration Energy Harvesting Device and Bridge Health Monitoring System" (CN119966271A) proposed by the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems uses a mechanical amplification mechanism composed of multi-layer vibrating plates and elastic components to prolong the vibration decay process. Although this increases the charge output of a single excitation, the frictional losses and inertial resistance introduced by the multi-layer series structure lead to a decrease in mechanical energy transfer efficiency. At the same time, the complex moving parts also bring about reduced reliability and increased manufacturing costs. Another type of arrayed composite energy harvesting device (CN115483845A), although it broadens the response bandwidth through multi-unit layout, has low system integration and large size, making it difficult to meet the needs of micro-devices for compact power supply units.

[0005] Secondly, from the perspective of energy conversion mechanism, most existing devices directly respond to a single vector component of vibration, and their output still retains the disordered characteristics of the vibration source, rather than directly converting random, irregular mechanical vibrations in space into highly ordered, unidirectional mechanical motion, thus limiting further improvement in energy conversion efficiency. For example, the multidimensional broadband piezoelectric vibration energy harvester in Chinese patent CN118174591A achieves multi-directional vibration energy capture through a C-shaped beam arranged in a circular array, but its output is still the vector sum of vibrations in each direction, manifested as an irregular electrical signal waveform, failing to uniformly convert vibration energy in different directions into a single form of ordered mechanical energy output.

[0006] Furthermore, in terms of adaptability to vibration direction, existing devices are extremely sensitive to vibration direction and struggle to adapt to multi-directional, irregular vibration environments. When vibrations originate from multiple directions or their directions are constantly changing, the device's performance deteriorates sharply, resulting in poor environmental adaptability. For example, a typical piezoelectric cantilever beam structure typically has a single optimal energy harvesting direction, which can only be achieved under vibration excitation aligned with the cantilever's bending direction, limiting its application scenarios. The "Vibration Energy Harvesting and Self-Powered Vibration Monitoring Device" (CN 117146961A) invented by Tsinghua University uses a precision guiding mechanism composed of a guide rod and a linear bearing to strictly restrict the motion of the mover to a single direction. While this enables accurate monitoring of vibration frequency, its directional constraint structure prevents it from effectively capturing multi-dimensional vibration energy, leading to a significant reduction in energy harvesting efficiency in real random vibration environments.

[0007] Chinese patent CN 209313747U proposes an alternating stepping piezoelectric stick-slip actuator with a biomimetic wheat awn friction surface. By designing a friction surface with a biomimetic wheat awn structure, the direction dependence of the friction force is achieved, so that the friction force of the annular rotor is less when rotating counterclockwise than when rotating clockwise, thus realizing alternating stepping motion under the excitation of a triangular wave of piezoelectric stack. The device is compact and easy to control, but its drive depends on external piezoelectric excitation and precision mechanical structure, which not only increases the system complexity and manufacturing cost, but also has limited adaptability to vibration direction—it can only respond to excitation in a specific direction and cannot effectively capture multi-directional irregular vibrations. In addition, its output is still stepping rotation, rather than continuous and stable directional rotation, which limits its application in weak or high-frequency vibration environments.

[0008] Chinese patent CN 115313910A proposes an asymmetric mass-type piezoelectric inertial actuator, which employs anisotropic friction surfaces (such as a spiked structure) combined with an asymmetric mass design to achieve directional linear motion under symmetrical square wave excitation. It utilizes the anisotropic friction of the stepped shaft surface to create a difference in mass between left and right movements, resulting in net displacement. While the device has a simple structure and symmetrical drive signal, it still relies on external piezoelectric excitation and precision friction surface machining, making it prone to performance degradation due to friction and wear over long-term operation. Furthermore, its motion is linear displacement rather than rotational output, and its response to vibration direction is still limited to a single axis, making it unable to adapt to omnidirectional, irregular vibration environments.

[0009] Chinese patent CN 104260726B proposes a vibratory robot peristaltic device. This device utilizes the anisotropic friction between inclined flexible fibers and the contact surface to successfully convert random vibration excitations in the environment into directional movement of the device itself, exhibiting good environmental adaptability and simple motion. However, the vibratory robot peristaltic device has certain limitations in direction, and it does not respond to vibrations parallel to its long axis.

[0010] In the aforementioned work, the mechanism is often simply attributed to the anisotropy of friction between the contact surface and the surface, but this understanding fails to grasp the physical essence. In fact, the direction dependence of friction is merely a manifestation of asymmetric motion, not its root cause. A more accurate mechanistic model should be: under vibrational excitation, the inclined elastic fiber undergoes periodic bending deformation, and its elastic restoring force in the tangential direction constitutes the driving force propelling the motion; while in this process, interfacial friction essentially always plays the role of resistance, hindering the motion.

[0011] For flexible devices, especially micro-flexible devices, the large effective contact area often results in significant sliding or static frictional resistance at the interface, leading to the loss of most of the driving energy. Therefore, drag reduction design is necessary for these devices. Currently, research in this field is largely at the conceptual design level, and no drag reduction research or products have been reported. In this solution, we utilize a magnetic levitation design to support the rotor's own weight, significantly reducing sliding or static frictional resistance to improve conversion efficiency and its starting capability under weak vibration conditions.

[0012] In summary, existing vibration conversion and energy harvesting technologies suffer from significant energy loss due to structural complexity, insufficient environmental adaptability due to directional sensitivity, or low conversion efficiency due to disordered response modes. Their common limitation lies in the fact that they all attempt to adapt to multi-directional vibration environments through the combination and optimization of external mechanical structures, rather than achieving spontaneous selection of motion direction and directional energy convergence from the physical essence of material interface interactions.

[0013] The conversion of controlled vibration energy into rotational mechanical energy is of significant application value in numerous fields such as micromotors, ultrasonic motors, and microrobots. Therefore, a self-driven, small mechanical device is needed. This device should be simple in construction, containing only the most basic moving components, and capable of adaptively and efficiently converting multi-directional, irregular vibrations into unidirectional, directional rotational mechanical energy. Furthermore, it should be able to concentrate this driving force into a stable, deterministic, and pure rotational mechanical energy output, providing an ideal power input for subsequent motion control or energy conversion. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and a power generation device that can work in all directions to convert irregular vibrations into directional rotation, so as to solve the problems of large energy loss, low efficiency and poor adaptability to all-directional vibration caused by existing vibration energy conversion and harvesting technologies that rely on complex transmission mechanisms.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A device capable of converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions includes a base, a rotor, and a stator. The stator is fixed to the base, and the rotor is rotatably connected between the base and the stator. A working gap is formed between the stator and the rotor. An array of bristles is arranged in the working gap to absorb vibration energy and drive the rotor to rotate. The arrangement method of the bristle array is as follows: This includes a radially elastic bristle array fixed to the outer surface of the rotor cylinder wall in a brush-like manner, and an axially elastic bristle array on the top and bottom surfaces of the rotor; or A radial elastic bristle array fixed in the shape of a brush to the inner surface of the stator cylinder wall and an axial elastic bristle array on the inner top surface of the stator and the upper surface of the base.

[0016] Furthermore, the bristle array is arranged at an angle along the rotor rotation direction, specifically in the following directions: When the rotor rotates clockwise, the radial elastic bristle array is arranged in a counterclockwise direction along the outer normal of the sidewall; when the rotor rotates counterclockwise, the radial elastic bristle array is arranged in a clockwise direction along the outer normal of the sidewall; that is, the inclination direction of the bristles is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor.

[0017] Furthermore, the stator is a hollow cylindrical structure, with its lower end coaxially fixed to the base; the rotor is a hollow cylindrical structure coaxially nested within the stator, with both the top and bottom of the rotor being solid planar disks; the outer diameter of the rotor is smaller than the inner diameter of the stator, and an annular working gap is formed between the inner wall of the rotor and the outer wall of the stator.

[0018] Furthermore, a support structure is provided between the lower part of the rotor and the top of the base, which allows the rotor to rotate while suspended above the base.

[0019] Furthermore, the support structure is a permanent magnet structure, with a set of two permanent magnets respectively embedded in the bottom of the base and the rotor at relative positions; utilizing the principle of magnetic pole repulsion, the rotor achieves contactless levitation above the base, forming a magnetic levitation support structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the support structure is a ball bearing structure, with the balls located between a rotor and a base, and grooves for embedding the balls provided on the rotor and base.

[0021] Furthermore, an output shaft is connected to the center of the rotor, which is used to output the directional rotational mechanical energy generated by the rotor outward.

[0022] Furthermore, the stator and rotor can be multi-layered, i.e., multiple sets of stator and rotor structures, with multiple sets of rotors connected through an output shaft.

[0023] A composite power generation device capable of collecting irregular vibration energy from all directions includes the aforementioned device capable of converting irregular vibration into directional rotation, and also includes a triboelectric power generation unit and an electromagnetic power generation unit. The triboelectric power generation unit includes a first friction layer, a second friction layer, and interdigitated electrodes. The first friction layer is formed by a radially elastic bristle array. The interdigitated electrodes are fixed circumferentially to the inner wall of the stator, forming a ring around the inner wall of the stator. The second friction layer is a thin sheet material, the size of which is adapted to the circumference and height of the inner wall of the stator. It is attached to the surface of the interdigitated electrodes by adhesive and fixed to the inner wall of the stator. The material of the second friction layer has a different charge sequence than the bristle material, and a potential difference is generated when they rub against each other. The working surface of the second friction layer is ensured to be in contact with the free end of the radially elastic bristle array, forming a corresponding friction pair. The electromagnetic power generation unit includes multiple permanent magnet groups fixed to the inner wall of the rotor and electromagnetic power generation coil groups fixed to the outer wall of the stator.

[0024] Furthermore, there are 8 permanent magnet groups, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the inner wall of the rotor; there are 1 coil group, which is evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer wall of the stator and arranged opposite to the permanent magnet groups inside the rotor.

[0025] The working principle of this device is based on an "elastic drive-slip-flight" mechanism, the core of which lies in utilizing the tangential component force generated by the inclined elastic bristles during deformation recovery as the driving force. (Refer to...) Figure 3 When irregular vibrations from the external environment are transmitted through the fixed base and stator system, the ends of the radial and axial bristle arrays interact with the inner wall of the stator.

[0026] 1) During the contact and elastic energy storage stage, when the vibration excitation is transmitted to the system through the base and stator, the radial bristle array and axial bristle array with a specific tilt angle are subjected to the normal force from the contact surface and undergo bending deformation. The vibration kinetic energy is converted into elastic potential energy and stored inside the bristles.

[0027] 2) During the slip and energy conversion phase, when the vibration platform reaches its apex and begins to reverse, the normal force applied to the bristles decreases, and the stored elastic potential energy begins to be released. Since all the bristles are uniformly tilted, the tangential components of the elastic restoring force generated during their deformation recovery process superimpose, forming a net driving torque that propels the rotor to rotate. This process is entirely driven by the elastic properties of the bristles, realizing the conversion of vibrational energy into rotational energy.

[0028] 3) During the flight and free rotation phases, under specific vibration conditions, when the downward acceleration exceeds the acceleration due to gravity, the rotor may completely detach from the stator and enter a brief flight state. During this phase, the rotor continues to rotate freely by relying on the conservation of angular momentum, achieving an efficient conversion of vibrational energy into rotational kinetic energy.

[0029] 4) During the landing and energy replenishment phase, a new energy storage and conversion cycle begins when the rotor re-engages with the stator. Through this periodic cycle of "elastic energy storage-release drive-momentum retention," the omnidirectional, irregular vibrations in the environment are continuously and efficiently converted into the rotor's single-directional stable rotation.

[0030] The radial and axial bristle arrays respond to vibration components in different directions, but through the rigid connection of the rotor, the vibration inputs in all directions are coupled into a driving torque in the same rotational direction. This design enables the device to capture vibration energy from any direction and convert it into a unified directional rotational motion of the output shaft.

[0031] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. This invention achieves a direct and efficient conversion of energy forms from disorder to order, and a highly efficient conversion from mechanical energy to electrical energy. Based on an "elastic drive-slip-flight" mechanism, this invention achieves a fundamental conversion of energy forms. Under vibration excitation, the bristles periodically undergo "bending energy storage" and "slip release" processes, with the tangential components of the elastic restoring force superimposed to form the net torque driving the rotor's rotation. This physical process can directly and efficiently convert random, disordered, and multi-directional vibrational energy in the environment into stable and continuous rotational mechanical energy in a single direction for the rotor, providing a solution for further applications. Furthermore, by integrating triboelectric energy generation (TENG) and electromagnetic energy generation (EMG) units, this pure rotational mechanical energy is further converted into electrical energy, achieving a highly efficient conversion from environmental vibrational energy to ultimately usable electrical energy throughout the entire process.

[0032] 2. This invention fundamentally solves the problem of high energy loss in micro-flexible devices by combining magnetic levitation drag reduction design with elastic bristle drive, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency and response to weak vibrations. For flexible devices, a large effective contact area leads to huge interfacial frictional resistance. This invention sets permanent magnets at the bottom of the stator and rotor respectively, using the principle of magnetic pole repulsion to achieve contactless levitation of the rotor. This magnetic levitation support structure effectively counteracts the rotor's own weight, transforming traditional sliding friction into near-zero-resistance magnetic support, significantly reducing the system's starting resistance and running friction. This perfectly complements the drive method of the elastic bristle array, enabling the efficient conversion of weak vibration energy in the environment into the rotor's rotational kinetic energy, significantly improving energy conversion efficiency and solving the fundamental problem of high energy loss in traditional friction drive devices.

[0033] 3. This invention exhibits excellent omnidirectional environmental adaptability and robustness. Through a coaxial nested stator-rotor structure, and a composite design of radial and axial bristle arrays, this invention constitutes an all-around vibration capture system. The radial bristle array responds to vibrations perpendicular to the axis, while the axial bristle array responds to vibrations parallel to the axis. Regardless of the direction of the vibration, its energy can be captured by the corresponding bristle array and uniformly converted into torque driving the rotor to rotate in a single direction through the tangential component of the elastic force. This makes the device insensitive to the directionality of the vibration environment, ensuring that regardless of the direction of the vibration, its energy can be effectively captured and uniformly converted into driving torque in the same rotational direction, exhibiting extremely strong adaptability and stability in real, random vibration scenarios.

[0034] 4. Dual-mode power generation works synergistically and complementaryly, greatly expanding the load adaptability and application scenarios. This invention integrates both triboelectric and electromagnetic power generation units in a single, compact structure. The triboelectric power generation unit (axial elastic bristle array / friction layer / interdigital electrodes) can output high voltage and low current; the electromagnetic power generation unit (permanent magnet assembly / coil) can output low voltage and high current. The two power generation modes share the same rotating power source and are naturally complementary in electrical characteristics. This synergistic design allows the device to simultaneously meet the power supply needs of both high-impedance and low-impedance loads, significantly expanding the load adaptability range and providing users with great flexibility to choose single or dual-mode collaborative operation according to specific application scenarios.

[0035] 5. The modular architecture adopted in this invention provides flexible space for performance expansion. The basic "stator-rotor" unit can be extended in series or parallel through a modular approach of "rotor-stator-rotor" or "stator-rotor-stator". Each unit can work together to drive the output shaft, thereby increasing output torque and power without significantly increasing volume. This modular design concept greatly enhances the applicability and flexibility of the product. In addition, the coaxial nested structure design organically integrates the triboelectric power generation unit (brittle array, friction layer, interdigitated electrodes) and the electromagnetic power generation unit (permanent magnet, coil) in the annular space between the stator and rotor, achieving further compactness of the structure.

[0036] 6. Thanks to its simple mechanical structure, this device also boasts advantages such as small size, ease of miniaturization and integration, low manufacturing cost, high reliability, and maintenance-free operation, making it easy to deploy and use in various space-constrained environments. Unlike traditional devices that require complex transmission mechanisms such as gears and linkages, the core drive unit of this invention is simply an array of elastic stiffeners, combined with a magnetic levitation support structure, forming an extremely simple energy conversion path. This design not only eliminates the energy loss inherent in complex transmission mechanisms but also makes the device compact and small in size, making it particularly suitable for applications in space-constrained environments such as microrobots and implantable medical devices.

[0037] 7. Adjustable performance, adaptable to wide-bandwidth vibration environments. The output characteristics of this device can be optimized by adjusting key parameters. For example, by adjusting the Young's modulus of the bristles, their natural frequency can be changed to match different external excitations; optimizing the tilt angle can balance the driving force and deformation capacity. This adjustability allows the invention to adapt to various working conditions, from low-frequency large amplitude vibrations to high-frequency micro-vibrations, further expanding its application range. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rotating device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view (along the axial direction) of the rotating device of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working mechanism of the rotating device; Figure 4 This diagram shows the relationship between the bristles and the fixed positions of the rotor and stator. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a ball bearing drag reduction scheme; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-rotor scheme for a rotating device; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a dual-stator scheme for a rotating device; Figure 8 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the composite power generation device of the present invention; Figure 9 These are the front and top views of the triboelectric power generation unit; Figure 10 These are the front and top views of the electromagnetic power generation unit; Figure 11 The output characteristics of a triboelectric generator (TENG) are shown in the diagram. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the output characteristics of an electromagnetic generator (EMG). Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a vibration monitoring application.

[0039] In the picture: 1-Stator, 2-Rotor, 3-Radial elastic bristle array, 4-Axial elastic bristle array, 5-Base, 6-Permanent magnet, 7-Output shaft; 8-Elastic force, 9-Normal component, 10-Tangential component; 11-Ball bearing, 12-Groove, 13-Outer rotor, 14-Outer stator; 15-Interdigitated electrode, 16-Friction layer two, 17-Permanent magnet assembly, 18-Electromagnetic power generation coil assembly, 19-Warning light. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0041] A device that can work in all directions to convert irregular vibrations into directional rotation is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] like Figure 1 and 2 The system includes a base 5, a rotor 2, and a stator 1. The stator 1 is a hollow cylindrical structure that can be coaxially fixed to the base 5 using any fixing method. In this embodiment, it is fixed by screwing its external thread at the bottom into the corresponding internal thread on the base 5, serving together with the base 5 as the fixing foundation and vibration transmission path for the entire device. The rotor 2 is a closed cylindrical structure coaxially nested within the stator 1, with solid planar disks at both the top and bottom. The outer diameter of the rotor 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the stator 1, forming an annular working gap between the rotor 2 and the stator 1.

[0043] like Figure 1 and 2A bristle array is arranged in the working gap to absorb vibration energy and drive the rotor 2 to rotate. The bristle array is arranged as follows: it includes a radial elastic bristle array 3 fixed in a brush shape to the outer surface of the rotor 2 cylinder wall and an axial elastic bristle array 4 on the top and bottom surfaces of the rotor 2; or a radial elastic bristle array 3 fixed in a brush shape to the inner surface of the stator 1 cylinder wall and an axial elastic bristle array 4 on the inner top surface of the stator 1 and the upper surface of the base 5. The bristle array is arranged at an angle along the rotation direction of the rotor 2. Specifically, when the rotor 2 rotates clockwise, the radial elastic bristle array 3 is arranged at an angle counterclockwise along the outer normal of the side wall; when the rotor 2 rotates counterclockwise, the radial elastic bristle array 3 is arranged at an angle clockwise along the outer normal of the side wall; that is, the angle of the bristles is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor 2. The function of the bristle array is to utilize the torque formed by the tangential component of the elastic force generated by the bristles under vibration excitation (such as... Figure 3 The key to realizing energy conversion is to directly convert the multi-directional random vibrations transmitted from the base 5 and stator 1 into continuous directional rotational motion. The bristles are evenly distributed circumferentially along multiple concentric rings with the central axis of rotor 2 as the axis of symmetry. For example... Figure 3 The projection of each bristle onto the rotor 2 is parallel to the circumferential tangent direction passing through its fixed point, and the projections of all bristles point to the same tangent direction; at the same time, the bristle axis is inclined along the outer normal direction of the rotor 2 plane, forming a fixed spatial angle with the normal.

[0044] A support structure is provided between the lower part of rotor 2 and the top of base 5, allowing rotor 2 to rotate while suspended above base 5. There are two types of support structures: one is supported by permanent magnets 6, and the other is supported by ball bearings 11. Figure 3 As shown, there is a set of two permanent magnets 6, which are respectively embedded in the bottom relative positions of the stator 1 and the rotor 2. Utilizing the principle of magnetic pole repulsion, the rotor 2 achieves contactless levitation within the stator 1, forming a magnetic levitation support structure. Figure 4 As shown, the ball 11 of the ball 11 structure is located between the rotor 2 and the base 5, and the rotor 2 and the base 5 are provided with grooves 12 for embedding the ball 11.

[0045] The rotor 2 is connected to the center of an output shaft 7, which is used to output the directional rotational mechanical energy generated by the rotor 2. The functions of each component are as follows: Stator 1, as a stationary component, is used to receive and transmit random vibration energy from the environment, providing structural support and a vibration transmission path for the entire device. Its cylindrical structure provides a stable constraint space for the rotational motion of rotor 2.

[0046] The rotor 2, as the core moving component, can rotate freely relative to the stator 1 under magnetic levitation support. Its cylindrical structure provides a fixed base 5 for the bristle array and integrates radial and axial bristle arrays to form a composite drive body.

[0047] The radially elastic bristle array 3 is the core component for capturing and converting radial vibrations (i.e., vibrations perpendicular to the rotor 2 axis). Its unique feature is that the bristles are made of elastic materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane, thermoplastic polyurethane, or silicone rubber, giving them the property of bending deformation under vibration excitation and quickly returning to their original shape. It is fixed to the surface of rotor 2 in the form of cantilever beams. The axially elastic bristle array 4 is the core component for capturing and converting axial vibrations (i.e., vibrations parallel to the rotor 2 axis).

[0048] The permanent magnet 6 forms a non-contact support system, which counteracts the weight of the rotor 2 through magnetic repulsion, significantly reducing starting resistance and running friction.

[0049] The embodiments of the present invention are highly flexible: like Figure 4 As shown, the fixed positions of the radial and axial bristle arrays between the rotor 2 and the stator 1 / base 5 are interchangeable. For example, all bristles can be fixed on the stator 1 side without changing the driving principle.

[0050] As attached Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the present invention can be extended by adopting a modular nested structure of "rotor 2-stator 1-rotor 2" or "stator 1-rotor 2-stator 1". Through the coordinated work of multiple conversion units, the ability to capture and convert vibration energy is significantly improved.

[0051] To optimize device performance, key parameters can be adjusted. For example, the Young's modulus of the bristle material; bristles with a higher modulus help improve the response speed to high-frequency vibrations. The tilt angle of the bristles refers to the angle between the bristles and the horizontal plane, and there exists an optimal range to balance the driving torque and deformation capacity. In addition, the shape of the end of the bristles interacting with the contact surface also affects the driving efficiency and can be further optimized to achieve higher energy conversion efficiency and rotational speed.

[0052] The method of using this device is as follows: the device base 5 is fixed on the vibration source. The irregular vibration in the environment is transmitted to the radial elastic bristle array 3 and the axial elastic bristle array 4 through the base 5 and the stator 1. The radial elastic bristle array 3 and the axial elastic bristle array 4 convert the vibration energy into the directional rotational motion of the rotor 2 and the output shaft 7.

[0053] A composite power generation device capable of omnidirectionally collecting irregular vibration energy is proposed. Based on the aforementioned vibration-rotation conversion module, this invention integrates a composite power generation module for efficiently converting the directional rotational mechanical energy of rotor 2 into electrical energy. The composite power generation module is integrated into the conversion module, and its core includes a triboelectric power generation unit and an electromagnetic power generation unit.

[0054] Reference Figure 8 ,Figure 9 and Figure 10 The device of this invention integrates a triboelectric power generation unit (TENG) and an electromagnetic power generation unit (EMG) based on the aforementioned vibration-rotation conversion module. The triboelectric power generation unit includes a radial elastic bristle array 3 (friction layer one), a second friction layer 16, and interdigitated electrodes 15; the electromagnetic power generation unit includes a permanent magnet assembly 17 on the inner wall of the rotor 2 and an electromagnetic power generation coil assembly 18 on the outer wall of the stator 1. The structure, position, and connection relationship of each component are as follows: Interdigitated electrodes 15 are circumferentially fixed to the inner wall of stator 1; friction layer 2 16 is a thin sheet material, the size of which is adapted to the circumference and height of the inner wall of the stator. It is attached to the surface of the interdigitated electrodes by adhesive and fixed to the inner wall of the stator. The material of friction layer 2 has a different charge sequence than the bristle material, and a potential difference is generated when they rub against each other; the working surface of friction layer 2 16 is ensured to contact the free end of the radial elastic bristle array 3 to form a corresponding friction pair; during installation, friction layer 2 16 is cut into rectangular strips and then pasted and fixed to the inner wall of the stator and covers the interdigitated electrodes 15. There are 8 permanent magnet groups 17, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the inner wall of rotor 2; there are 8 coil groups 18, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the outer wall of stator 1 and are arranged opposite to the permanent magnet groups 17 inside rotor 2.

[0055] The functions and characteristics of each component are as follows: Interdigitated electrodes 15 are used to collect induced charges generated by electrostatic induction and output electrical energy. Friction layer 16 and the material of the radial bristle array form a triboelectric couple, which generate and transfer static charges during periodic contact and separation. Permanent magnet assembly 17 serves as the magnetic field source for the electromagnetic power generation unit, with eight magnets evenly distributed circumferentially to generate a stable rotating magnetic field.

[0056] The coil assembly is made of enameled copper wire, with eight coils evenly distributed to maximize the rate of change of magnetic flux. When the rotor 2 rotates, the permanent magnet assembly 17 rotates accordingly, and its changing magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the coils, outputting electrical energy.

[0057] The working principle of this composite power generation module is based on two different physical effects: For a triboelectric generator (TENG) module, when environmental vibrations are transmitted to the device through the stator 1, the rotor 2 is driven to rotate. The axially elastic bristle array 4, fixed to the surface of the rotor 2, rotates accordingly, undergoing periodic contact-separation motion with the second friction layer 16, fixed to the inner surface of the stator 1. For example, the bristles are made of PDMS, and the second friction layer 16 is made of nylon. Due to the difference in the triboelectric sequence between PDMS and nylon, electrons transfer from the nylon surface to the PDMS surface upon contact, making the PDMS surface negatively charged and the nylon surface positively charged. As the axially elastic bristle array 4 rotates with the rotor 2, electrostatic induction induces a periodically changing charge distribution on the interdigitated electrodes 15, thereby forming an alternating current in the external circuit.

[0058] For the electromagnetic generation (EMG) module, when rotor 2 rotates under vibration drive, the rotating magnetic field formed by the permanent magnet assembly 17 inside rotor 2 moves relative to the coil assembly on the outer wall of stator 1. The rotation of the permanent magnet assembly 17 causes a periodic change in the magnetic flux passing through each coil, generating an induced electromotive force in the coil according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. The symmetrical arrangement of the permanent magnet assembly 17 ensures that there are magnets facing or offset from the coils at any rotational position, generating a continuous and stable alternating current output.

[0059] The two power generation modes share the same rotor system mechanically but are electrically independent. The triboelectric generator produces a high-voltage, low-current output, suitable for powering high-impedance loads; the electromagnetic generator produces a low-voltage, high-current output, suitable for powering low-impedance loads. Both outputs can be brought out via independent interfaces and used individually or in conjunction with power management circuitry, depending on application requirements, to provide optimal power supply solutions for different types of electronic equipment.

[0060] The method of using this composite power generation device is as follows: The device is fixed to the vibration monitoring position via the mounting base 5. Irregular vibrations in the environment drive the rotor 2 to generate directional rotation, thereby simultaneously stimulating the output of electrical energy in both triboelectric and electromagnetic power generation modes. This can directly power micro-devices or charge energy storage elements. An alarm light 19 can be mounted on the device being monitored (such as bridges, pipelines, or industrial machinery) via the base 5. This captures environmental vibration energy and converts it into electrical energy, driving the alarm light 19 to remain constantly lit, thus achieving fully self-powered real-time vibration status monitoring.

[0061] This invention combines tilted elastic bristle array drive with magnetic levitation technology, eliminating traditional complex transmission components such as gears and connecting rods, thus achieving a high degree of structural simplification. The rotation of the bristles is achieved through random vibrations acting in any direction on the device, therefore the vibrational energy sources that this invention can collect are extensive. It achieves the goal of converting random vibrations in the environment into directional rotation. Based on this, by deeply integrating friction and electromagnetic power generation modes, it achieves synergy and complementarity in electrical energy output. Ultimately, this device achieves the goal of efficiently converting random vibrations in the environment into directional rotation and stable electrical energy.

[0062] Example 1: A device capable of working in all directions to convert irregular vibrations into directional rotation, the specific structure of which is described in reference to... Figures 1 to 3 .

[0063] 1. Preparation and treatment of supporting structures Three-dimensional models of stator 1, rotor 2, and base 5 were created using computer-aided design software. The model design required ensuring that the outer diameter of rotor 2 was smaller than the inner diameter of stator 1, forming an annular working clearance. In this specific embodiment, stator 1 has an outer diameter of 48mm and a height of 8mm, rotor 2 has an outer diameter of 32mm, and both have a wall thickness of 2mm and a height of 70mm. Photopolymer 3D printing technology was employed, using a CREALITY LD-002H 3D printer, and rigid resin material was used to print the components. After printing, the components were cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, alcohol, and deionized water to remove residual resin, and then subjected to ultraviolet curing treatment to improve material strength. Key mating surfaces were lightly polished to ensure smooth movement of rotor 2 within stator 1.

[0064] 2. Assembly of the magnetic levitation support structure Two N52-grade neodymium iron boron permanent magnets 6, each 8mm in diameter and 3mm thick, are selected as the permanent magnets 6. One of the permanent magnets 6 is embedded into the circular groove in the center of the base 5 and fixed using epoxy resin adhesive. Similarly, the other permanent magnet 6 is embedded into the corresponding groove at the bottom of the rotor 2. Before placing the rotor 2 into the stator 1, the orientation of the two permanent magnets 6 must be confirmed to ensure that their like poles are facing each other (i.e., NN or SS facing each other) to generate the repulsive force required for magnetic levitation.

[0065] 3. Mold design and fabrication for flexible bristle arrays Three-dimensional molds were designed for both the radial elastic bristle array 3 and the radial elastic bristle array 3. The mold cavity shape must accurately reflect the structural parameters of the bristles (length, diameter, tilt angle, shape, spacing, etc.). A high-precision photopolymerization 3D printer was used to fabricate the mold to ensure accurate feature dimensions. Furthermore, the mold was cleaned and subjected to further photopolymerization treatment. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the structural parameters of the bristles are: bristle length 5.7 mm, bristle diameter 1 mm, bristle tilt angle 60°, spacing between bristles 3.7 mm, and hemispherical bristle tip shape.

[0066] 4. Casting and curing of PDMS stiffeners Preparation of PDMS prepolymer: Weigh the Sylgard 184 silicone rubber matrix and crosslinking agent at a mass ratio of 10:1, place them in a glass beaker, and stir for 10 minutes until homogeneous. Place the mixture in a vacuum desiccator and degas for 30 minutes at -0.08 MPa until no obvious bubbles remain in the PDMS within the beaker. Slowly pour the degassed PDMS mixture into a bristle mold until all cavities are filled. Then place the mold in a constant temperature oven and cure at 200°C for 30 minutes to allow the PDMS to fully crosslink and solidify.

[0067] 5. Demolding and post-processing of bristle arrays After curing, the mold was removed from the oven and cooled to room temperature. The cured PDMS bristle array was slowly peeled from the mold, ensuring the bristle structure remained intact and without breakage. Subsequently, the bristle array underwent oxygen plasma surface treatment. The sample was placed in the reaction chamber of a plasma cleaner, with the radio frequency power set to 100W, the oxygen flow rate to 20 sccm, and the treatment time to 60 seconds. This step aims to reduce the stickiness of the bristle surface and optimize its driving performance.

[0068] 6. Assembly of the bristle array with rotor 2 The prepared flexible bristle array is wrapped around the outer wall of rotor 2 with its designed inner diameter curved edge, and assembled using a segmented fixing process to prevent base deformation from changing the bristle tilt angle. Specifically, the bristle array is first cut into 10mm segments, resulting in a 1cm × 7cm bristle array of 3 × 19 bristles. Then, one end of the cut bristle array base is initially aligned with the surface of rotor 2, and the bristles are distributed circumferentially along rotor 2, with all bristles pointing in the same direction. Finally, highly elastic thin rubber bands are used for tight binding and fixing, ensuring that the bristle array base is stably and completely fixed to the surface of rotor 2 without stretching or deformation, and ensuring that the base and the curved surface of rotor 2 are completely in contact, without any gaps or wrinkles.

[0069] 7. Final Assembly The assembled rotor 2 is coaxially placed inside the stator 1. At this point, the rotor 2 is stably suspended due to the magnetic repulsion at the bottom. The stator 1 is then fixed to the base 5 via the bottom thread, completing the final assembly of the entire vibration-rotation conversion device.

[0070] Example 2: A composite power generation device capable of collecting irregular vibration energy from all directions Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment eliminates the output shaft 7 and integrates a composite power generation module to form a complete self-powered device. Its specific structure is described in detail below. Figures 8 to 10 .

[0071] 1. Fabrication of support structure and pre-integration of power generation unit Repeat step 1 of Example 1 to prepare the stator 1, rotor 2, and base 5. The difference is: An area is reserved on the inner wall of stator 1 for attaching interdigital electrodes 15; A slotted or support structure is designed on the outer wall of the stator 1 to fix the electromagnetic power generation coil group 18; A circumferential mounting groove is designed inside the rotor 2 for embedding the permanent magnet assembly 17; The above-mentioned support structure component was prepared using the same 3D printing process and post-processing procedure as in Example 1.

[0072] 2. Magnetic levitation support structure and electromagnetic power generation unit First, repeat step 2 of embodiment 1 to complete the assembly of the magnetic levitation support structure composed of permanent magnet 6; Subsequently, the electromagnetic power generation unit is assembled: eight neodymium iron boron permanent magnets 6, each with a specification of 10mm×20mm×2mm, are evenly embedded circumferentially into the mounting slots inside the rotor 2, forming a permanent magnet group 17. Then, using enameled copper wire (diameter: 0.12mm), eight coils (resistance: 980Ω) are wound on the wire slots on the outer wall of the stator 1, and fixed to form an electromagnetic power generation coil group 18.

[0073] 3. Fabrication of flexible bristle arrays and integration of triboelectric power generation units This step repeats steps 3-5 of Example 1.

[0074] Before assembling the bristle array, the triboelectric generation unit is integrated: using conductive silver paste, pre-cut interdigital electrodes 15 are adhered to the inner wall of stator 1. Subsequently, nylon cloth is cut into a responsive shape to serve as the second triboelectric layer 16, which is then flatly attached to cover the entire surface of the interdigital electrodes 15.

[0075] 4. Assembly of the bristle array with rotor 2 This step is exactly the same as step 6 in Example 1. The PDMS bristle array is fixed to the outer wall of the rotor 2, ensuring that its free end maintains good contact with the nylon cloth friction layer 16.

[0076] 5. Assembly and Circuit Lead-out The rotor 2, which integrates the permanent magnet assembly 17 and the bristle array, is coaxially placed inside the stator 1, which integrates the electromagnetic power generation coil assembly 18 and the triboelectric power generation unit, to complete the magnetic levitation assembly. Finally, the output terminals of the interdigital electrodes 15 and the electromagnetic power generation coil assembly 18 are connected to independent external terminals of the device via wires for electrical measurements and external load power supply.

[0077] 6. Performance testing and power generation efficiency verification To verify the power generation efficiency of this device, a system performance test was conducted. The assembled device was fixed to a mechanical vibration platform. This platform consists of a regulated DC power supply, a DC vibration motor, a speed controller, and a stainless steel vibration plane. The device was fixed to the platform via base 5, and data was acquired using electrical measurements.

[0078] For the triboelectric power generation unit, the test results are as follows: Figure 11 As shown, its peak open-circuit voltage reaches 102 V and its peak short-circuit current reaches 1.89 μA, demonstrating the excellent high-voltage output characteristics of this unit.

[0079] For the electromagnetic power generation unit, the test results are as follows: Figure 12As shown, its peak open-circuit voltage reaches 0.35V and peak short-circuit current reaches 1.3mA, proving the unit's excellent high-current output capability.

Claims

1. A device capable of omnidirectional operation for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation, comprising a base (5), a rotor (2), and a stator (1), wherein the stator (1) is fixed to the base (5), and the rotor (2) is rotatably connected between the base (5) and the stator (1); characterized in that: A working gap is formed between the stator (1) and the rotor (2). A bristle array is arranged in the working gap to absorb vibration energy and drive the rotor (2) to rotate. The bristle array is arranged as follows: Including a radial elastic bristle array (3) fixed in a brush shape to the outer surface of the rotor (2) cylinder wall and an axial elastic bristle array (4) on the top and bottom surfaces of the rotor (2); or A radial elastic bristle array (3) fixed in the inner surface of the stator (1) cylinder wall and an axial elastic bristle array (4) on the inner top surface of the stator (1) and the upper surface of the base (5).

2. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that... The bristle array is arranged at an angle along the rotation direction of the rotor (2), and the specific angle is as follows: When the rotor (2) rotates clockwise, the radial elastic bristle array (3) is arranged in a counterclockwise direction along the outer normal of the side wall; when the rotor (2) rotates counterclockwise, the radial elastic bristle array (3) is arranged in a clockwise direction along the outer normal of the side wall; that is, the inclination direction of the bristles is opposite to the rotation direction of the rotor (2).

3. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stator (1) is a hollow cylindrical structure, and the lower end of the stator (1) is coaxially fixed with the base (5); the rotor (2) is a hollow cylindrical structure coaxially nested in the stator (1), and the top and bottom of the rotor (2) are solid flat disks; the outer diameter of the rotor (2) is smaller than the inner diameter of the stator (1), and an annular working gap is formed between the inner wall of the rotor (2) and the outer wall of the stator (1).

4. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support structure is provided between the lower part of the rotor (2) and the top of the base (5), and the support structure allows the rotor (2) to rotate while suspended above the base (5).

5. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support structure is a permanent magnet (6) structure. There are two permanent magnets (6) in a set, which are respectively embedded in the bottom relative positions of the base (5) and the rotor (2). The rotor (2) is made to float above the base (5) without contact by utilizing the principle of magnetic pole repulsion, thus forming a magnetic levitation support structure.

6. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support structure is a ball (11) structure, with the ball (11) located between the rotor (2) and the base (5), and grooves for embedding the ball (11) on the rotor (2) and the base (5).

7. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotor (2) is connected to an output shaft (7) at its center. The output shaft (7) is used to output the directional rotational mechanical energy generated by the rotor (2) to the outside.

8. The device for converting irregular vibration into directional rotation that can operate in all directions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stator (1) and rotor (2) can be nested in multiple layers, that is, multiple sets of stator (1) and rotor (2) structures, and multiple sets of rotor (2) are connected through the output shaft (7).

9. A composite power generation device capable of collecting irregular vibration energy from all directions, characterized in that, The device, which can operate in all directions as described in any of claims 1-8, converts random vibrations into directional rotation, and further includes a triboelectric power generation unit and an electromagnetic power generation unit. The triboelectric power generation unit includes a first friction layer, a second friction layer (16), and interdigitated electrodes (15). The first friction layer is formed by a radial elastic bristle array (3). The interdigitated electrodes (15) are fixed circumferentially to the inner wall of the stator (1), and the interdigitated electrodes (15) form a ring around the inner wall of the stator (1). The second friction layer (16) is a thin sheet material with dimensions adapted to the circumference and height of the inner wall of the stator. It is attached to the surface of the interdigitated electrodes and fixed to the inner wall of the stator by adhesive bonding. The material of the second friction layer (16) has a different charge sequence than the bristle material, and a potential difference is generated when they rub against each other. The working surface of the second friction layer (16) is ensured to be in contact with the free end of the radial elastic bristle array (3) to form a corresponding friction pair. The electromagnetic power generation unit includes multiple permanent magnet groups (17) fixed to the inner wall of the rotor (2) and electromagnetic power generation coil groups (18) fixed to the outer wall of the stator (1).

10. A composite power generation device capable of collecting irregular vibration energy from all directions according to claim 9, characterized in that, The permanent magnet group (17) has 8 units, which are evenly distributed along the circumference on the inner wall of the rotor (2); the coil group has 1 unit, which is evenly distributed along the circumference on the outer wall of the stator (1), and is arranged opposite to the permanent magnet group (17) inside the rotor (2).

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